Eventos Anais de eventos
COBEM 2023
27th International Congress of Mechanical Engineering
EFFICIENC SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES SUBMERGED AND PLACED ON THE WATER SURFACE: evaluation using thermal models
Submission Author:
Humberto Faria Rezende , MG
Co-Authors:
Humberto Faria Rezende, Ricardo Carpio, Francisco Sousa Junior, Vinicius Nunes
Presenter: Humberto Faria Rezende
doi://10.26678/ABCM.COBEM2023.COB2023-1274
Abstract
Temperature rises caused by the conversion of sunlight into electricity on photovoltaic solar panels reduces the module’s power output while in operation. Research in the use of water as a method of cooling has shown significant benefit, but not many studies have explored applying direct contact between the module and water present in lakes and similar water bodies. This project studies the effects obtained from placing photovoltaic solar panels on water surfaces, as well as its behavior when submerged near the surface. The potential variation in power output derived from better heat exchange is determined through a thermal model, comparing the results with a conventional air-cooled module. The solar panel’s heat transfer, the sunlight’s angle of incidence and intensity on the surface, as well as the fractions of sunlight radiation that are harnessed by the photovoltaic cells or lost to surrounding materials were calculated. A developed Python script determines the heat exchange through the panel’s components and to the surroundings by the means of an iterative process. As a result, the equipment’s temperature and power output can be determined. Values are obtained based on the sunlight’s intensity and incidence angle in various periods of the day, during a year. The performed thermal analysis identified a considerable reduction in the module’s temperature when placed on the water surface, and the power output in clear days arose by 6,43 % when compared to the typical ambient air-cooled solar panel. The analysis on a submerged module placed below the water surface resulted in a 9,70 % increase in power output. The submerged module also benefited from a reduction in reflection, as water has a refractive index that is fortuitous for the application. Taken into consideration the specified conditions, the installation of solar panels on the surface of water, or when submerged near the surface, has shown to be beneficial, since a substantial rise in the equipment’s power output was observed when compared to the conventional panel. This effect was especially advantageous when higher solar irradiance levels occurred, as an air-cooled module would experience significant temperature rises.
Keywords
photovoltaic, thermal model, PV efficiency improvement, Heat Exchange
